List of protests in New Zealand

This is a list of protests in New Zealand.

Protests relating to the Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi was between the Māori and the British Crown and was first signed in 1840.

+YearDayNamePeopleLocationNotesImage1844–1845Hōne Heke's protests1RussellProtest against the British Crown by repeatedly chopping down flag pole. Eventually leading to the New Zealand Wars.1845–1872The New Zealand WarsNorth IslandA series of conflicts between the British crown, its allies and various Maori tribes.18815 November (invasion of government troops)Parihaka pacifist settlementTaranakiPacifist settlement invaded by government troops and many prisoners taken without trial.1898Dog Tax WarNorthlandThreat of armed civil disobedience over disproportionate taxation. 197513 OctoberMāori Land March5000AucklandMarch from Northland to Wellington to increase public awareness.1977–1978ended 25 MayBastion Point protest (Ngāti Whātua land claim)AucklandPolice and army personnel removed 222 people1984Kia Ora Incident1Fired after insistence on using the greeting Kia Ora.2004Foreshore and seabed HīkoiNationwideProtest over the seabed and foreshore being declared public land.2004Tim Selwyn axe protest1AucklandCharged with sedition 20066 FebruaryWaitangi protestNorthland2007 15 OctoberNew Zealand police raidsRuatoki and throughout the countrySeveral people charged as terrorists, but not found guilty for that offence. Extensive protest over the police handling of the investigation. 2014New Zealand war memorial day petition12,000NationwidePetition to raise awareness of the New Zealand wars by creating a memorial day2023 5 December 2023 Government policy protestNorth Island A Te Pāti Māori organised protest regarding the National-led government policy changes.2024 10-19 November 2024 Hīkoi mō te TiritiNorth Island https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/533958/in-photos-hikoi-mo-te-tiriti-so-far-as-the-march-gains-momentum

Environmental protests

+YearDayNamePeopleLocationNotesImage1959–1972Save Manapouri campaign264,907 signed (1970)Southland, nationwideLargely successful in reducing the effect on the lake1960's-1980's Nuclear-free protests Nationwide2001SeptemberAnti genetic engineering10,000Aucklandresulting in a moratorium2004–2007Save Happy Valley CoalitionWest CoastAnti coal mine protests 2004–2007Marsden B protestNorthland20102 MayOpposing mining on conservation land40,000AucklandOne arrest made

Protests against employers

This list contains notable protests against employers either for the disruption caused or their results on society and working conditions. It also includes protests against the government when it is in the role of an employer. As in a ten-year period from 2005–2015 there were an average of 25 strikes a years this list does not seek to cover every such protest.,

+YearDayNamePeopleLocationNotesImage1890Ended 10 NovemberMaritime strikePorts around the country and AustraliaFirst nationwide strike1908 Blackball strikeWest Coast1913–1914The Great Strike14,000-16,000 on strikeStarted in Huntly coal mines and Wellington portUnionists against employers194325 FebruaryFeatherston prisoner of war protest and massacre240 (49 killed, 70 wounded)WellingtonJapanese prisoners of war refused to work and may have rioted.195113 February to 15 JulyWaterfront disputeNationwide 1978 Mangere Bridge disputeAuckland1979 General strike300,000 (max)Nationwide2006 supermarket workers’ disputeNationwide2008Junior doctors’ strikeNationwide

Protests for or against social change +YearDayNamePeopleLocationNotesImage1879Orange ‘riot’Timaru and ChristchurchSectarian unrest1893Women's suffrage petition32,000 signaturesWomen's suffrage followed late that year 1908November No License CampaignDunedin1916November Blackballminers went on strike to oppose military conscription.1917OctoberPaddy Webb1West CoastWebb, a Member of Parliament, opposed conscription and when called up refused military service. He was court-martialled and sentenced to two years' hard labour and his seat was declared vacant.19433 AprilBattle of Manners Street1000 (total)WellingtonSome of the American servicemen from the American South in the Services Club objected to the presence of Māori soldiers.1971Anti-Vietnam War protest35,000Nationwide197324 MarchBattle of Harewood23 arrestsHarewood Airport and the nearby Weedons Stores Depot People from Citizens for Demilitarisation of Harewood, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa and Anti-Bases Campaign, invaded two Operation Deep Freeze air defence bases. The violent clashes were the first anti-spy base demonstration in NZ and could be viewed as a forerunner to the Waihopai Station arrests1977May and DecemberAbortion-rights marchesWellington and ChristchurchProtest against the amendment to the Contraception-Sterilisation and Abortion Bill 1981Springbok tourNationwide1985Coalition of Concerned Citizens800,000 signatures (claimed)Opposition to the Homosexual Law Reform Act 19862003FebruaryAnti Iraq War10,000Auckland and Wellington2004AugustEnough is Enough march10,000WellingtonOpposition to the government's proposed Civil Union Bill2005Black caps tour of Zimbabwe2008AprilPloughshares Aotearoa3Waihopai Station2009New Zealand Internet Blackout2011SlutWalk Auckland and Wellington2011Occupy movementMajor centresProtests during the Great Recession. 2012Against gay marriage2502018 26 JulyAbortion availabilityWellington2022 Sunday, 6 FebruaryThousands protest against the vaccine mandates at the parliament grounds in Wellington and PictonWelllington and Picton2024 Sunday, 23 OctoberProtests against government policies over worker's rightsAll of New Zealandhttps://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/531641/as-it-happened-crowds-protest-attacks-on-workers-rights

List of protests in New Zealand

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